Early cardiovascular adaptation to zero gravity simulated by head-down tilt

C. Gunnar Blomqvist, J. V. Nixon, Robert L. Johnson, Jere H. Mitchell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

The early cardiovascular adaptation to zero gravity, simulated by head-down tilt at 5°, was studied in a series of 10 normal young men. The validity of the model was confirmed by comparing the results with data from Apollo and Skylab flights. Tilt produced a significant central fluid shift with a transient increase in central venous pressure, later followed by an increase in left ventricular size without changes in cardiac output, arterial pressure, or contractile state. The hemodynamic changes were transient with a nearly complete return to the control state within 6 hr. The adaptation included a diuresis and a decrease in blood volume, associated with ADH, renin and aldosterone inhibition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)543-553
Number of pages11
JournalActa Astronautica
Volume7
Issue number4-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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